Elevate Consulting

Cybersecurity Compliance

FedRAMP

Your Guide to FedRAMP Compliance:

Expertise in Securing Federal Cloud Solutions

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) serves as the cornerstone of secure cloud adoption within the U.S. federal government. Designed to standardize security assessments and authorizations for cloud service offerings (CSOs), FedRAMP is essential for cloud service providers (CSPs) seeking to work with federal agencies. However, achieving FedRAMP compliance is a rigorous, detail-oriented process that requires significant expertise.

Our firm specializes in guiding organizations through the complexities of FedRAMP compliance, providing detailed, actionable support at every stage.

What Is FedRAMP?

FedRAMP was established to ensure that federal agencies can securely leverage cloud services. By providing a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring, FedRAMP helps CSPs and federal agencies maintain robust cybersecurity practices.

Why Is FedRAMP Important?

FedRAMP was established to ensure that federal agencies can securely leverage cloud services. By providing a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring, FedRAMP helps CSPs and federal agencies maintain robust cybersecurity practices.

Centralizes security guidelines using NIST SP 800-53 controls to ensure consistency across all federal agencies.

Allows CSPs to serve federal agencies, unlocking significant business opportunities.

Aligns with key mandates such as FISMA, enabling agencies and CSPs to meet federal cybersecurity requirements.

FedRAMP offers two pathways to authorization:

Direct partnership with a federal agency to obtain an Authority to Operate (ATO).

A Provisional Authority to Operate (P-ATO) issued by the JAB, comprising representatives from the GSA, DHS, and DoD.

The following table highlights the distinct characteristics of obtaining FedRAMP authorization via each of the two options.

Aspect

Scope

Process

Scope

Authorization for use by a specific agency

Provisional authorization for use by all agencies

Process

Direct collaboration with a sponsoring agency

Review and approval by the JAB

Timeline

Generally faster (3-6 months)

Typically longer (6-12 months)

Resource Intensity

Less intensive

More rigorous and resource-intensive

Reusability

Limited to sponsoring agency, but can be leveraged by others

Widely recognized across federal agencies

Best For

CSPs targeting specific agencies or with limited resources

CSPs aiming for broad federal market access

Table 1 Agency vs. JAB

Aspect

Scope

Process

Provisional authorization for use by all agencies

Scope

Authorization for use by a specific agency

Aspect

Process

Process

Direct collaboration with a sponsoring agency

Scope

Review and approval by the JAB

Aspect

Timeline

Process

Generally faster (3-6 months)

Scope

Typically longer (6-12 months)

Aspect

Resource Intensity

Process

Less intensive

Scope

More rigorous and resource-intensive

Aspect

Reusability

Process

Limited to sponsoring agency, but can be leveraged by others

Scope

Widely recognized across federal agencies

Aspect

Best For

Process

CSPs targeting specific agencies or with limited resources

Scope

CSPs aiming for broad federal market access

Table 1 Agency vs. JAB

We help your team understand the benefits of each approach and which one to take for your particular use case.

FedRAMP Compliance Requirements

FedRAMP compliance involves implementing NIST SP 800-53 controls based on the impact level of the data stored or processed:

Limited adverse effects; fewer controls.

Serious adverse effects, including financial harm or reputational damage; the most common classification (80% of CSPs).

Severe or catastrophic consequences, such as impacts on national security or critical infrastructure.

The rigor of FedRAMP compliance is proportional to the impact level, with higher classifications requiring more extensive controls and monitoring.

Steps to Achieve FedRAMP Authorization
Initial Documentation and Scoping

We begin by helping you compile the necessary documentation using FedRAMP templates. This includes conducting a FIPS 199 assessment to categorize your CSO as low, moderate, or high impact. Scoping ensures all relevant systems, applications, and processes are included.

Conducting a Readiness Assessment

A readiness assessment identifies gaps between your current controls and FedRAMP requirements. While technically optional for the Agency path, this is mandatory for the JAB path. We support you by conducting a readiness assessment to reap the benefits of understanding gaps in technical capabilities, thereby increasing the probability of successfully completing the FedRAMP process. Key outcomes include:

A Readiness Assessment Report (RAR).

Actionable insights to prepare for full security assessment.

Additional advisory support for remediation efforts.

Creating a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M)

The POA&M is a vital document in the FedRAMP authorization process, outlining steps to remediate security gaps identified during the readiness assessment. It serves as a roadmap for addressing weaknesses and is essential for demonstrating compliance to achieve FedRAMP approval.

Our team will help you navigate the creation and maintenance of your POA&M. This includes using proper FedRAMP templates, milestone tracking and support in integrating with continuous monitoring (ConMon) efforts required by FedRAMP.

Key Components of a FedRAMP POA&M include:

Document each security finding with a unique identifier, affected controls, and detailed descriptions.

Evaluate the significance and potential impact of each identified weakness.

Outline specific corrective actions for each weakness, including tasks, milestones, and completion dates.

Indicate resources dedicated to addressing each issue.

Maintain the POA&M as a living document, regularly updated to reflect the status of remediation efforts.

Security Assessment

In collaboration with a FedRAMP-accredited third-party assessment organization (3PAO), we facilitate a full security assessment. This rigorous evaluation includes:

Testing controls against NIST SP 800-53

Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing

Documenting findings in a Security Assessment Report (SAR)

Authorization Process

We will guide your team depending on the chosen pathway:

JAB Authorization: Involves review and approval by the JAB, culminating in a P-ATO.

Agency Authorization: Involves direct collaboration with the federal agency to obtain an ATO.

Continuous Monitoring

FedRAMP compliance doesn’t end with authorization. Continuous monitoring is critical and includes:

Monthly vulnerability scans

Annual penetration testing

Ongoing updates to controls and documentation

Regular reporting to demonstrate ongoing compliance

Our Additional Support for FedRAMP Compliance

We differentiate ourselves by providing a meticulous, detail-oriented approach to FedRAMP compliance, ensuring your organization is fully prepared for authorization and continuous monitoring. In addition to the above we add the following:

We work closely with your team to define the scope of your CSO, ensuring alignment with FedRAMP requirements. This includes:

  • Identifying systems and processes in scope
  • Classifying data impact levels
  • Preparing documentation to FedRAMP standards

Our readiness assessments go beyond basic gap analyses. We simulate the rigor of a full security assessment, providing clear, actionable recommendations to address deficiencies.

With in-depth experience in both authorization pathways, we guide you through the nuances of working with the JAB or a federal agency, ensuring a smooth authorization process.

Our team ensures all testing requirements are met with sufficient evidence to withstand the scrutiny of a 3PAO. We are prepared with a full range of templates and guides to help you efficiently collect the correct evidence and document the details required by FedRAMP. We aim to make this complex process as straightforward as possible.

We help you establish processes for continuous monitoring, enabling you to maintain compliance with minimal disruption. Our team includes experts in each one of these ConMon areas to support your ongoing FedRAMP program. We will conduct your monthly vulnerability scan, execute pen tests and help you maintain your documentation so that your compliance level does not dip.

Why Choose Us for FedRAMP Compliance?

Our team includes experienced FedRAMP consultants with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-53 controls and federal compliance requirements. Our teams have experience across the cybersecurity and compliance industry.

From readiness assessments to continuous monitoring, we provide end-to-end guidance. We have specialists that conduct vulnerability scans, pen tests, as well as continuous compliance and compliance as a service (CaaS) offering. We have you covered regardless of the FedRAMP need.

We customize our services to align with your organization’s unique needs, ensuring efficient and effective compliance efforts.

Our rigorous approach ensures no gaps are overlooked, minimizing delays and maximizing your likelihood of successful authorization.

We don’t just help you achieve compliance—we support you in maintaining it, adapting to evolving requirements and threats.

Simplify Your FedRAMP Journey

Achieving FedRAMP compliance is a challenging process, but it’s a critical step for CSPs seeking to work with federal agencies. Our expertise ensures your organization is prepared for every phase of FedRAMP, from initial scoping to continuous monitoring. Partner with us to simplify the process and position your cloud solutions for success in the federal marketplace.

Contact us today to start your FedRAMP compliance journey.